Week 10 Flashcards
Constantine, Early Christianity and Western Fall
What is Polytheism?
Worshipping multiple gods (pantheon). Ex. Roman, Greeks, and Egyptians
What is Monotheism?
Worshipping one god. Ex. Judaism, Christianity
What was the code for Christian faith in the 2nd c. CE?
ICHTHUS (fish)
Discuss Constantine’s control and changes he made.
3rd c. CE, control of Western Empire and defeat of Maxentius in Battle of Milvian Bridge. Had dream to inscribe chi-rho (christ) into shields. First Roman emperor to practice Christianity. Moved capital of Rome to Byzantium (Constantinople).
Describe the Colossal Constantine.
4th c. CE, in Basilica on Constantine, head of Hadrian? Naturalistic vs. Verism. Brick core with wooden exterior and gilded bronze surface.
Describe St. John Lateran Basilica.
4th c. CE, oldest church in Rome built over fort of Septimius Severus. Domus Dei (House of God). Use of spolia in column capitals (Venus Genetrix) and bronze doors (Curia)
Discuss the significance of the Arch of Constantine.
Use of spolia from ‘good’ emperors (Hadrian, Trajan, Marcus Aurelius) to emphasize his victories.
What was the Corpus Iuris Civilis?
Codification of (new) Roman laws from Emperor Justinian I in 5th C. CE
What were the Esquiline Treasures?
Four silver Tychai that symbolized wealth, prosperity, military garb, and crown as city walls. Wealth before destruction.
What was the Hagia Sophia?
Called the Magna Ekklesia (Great Church) in 4th. c. CE for practice of Christianity.
What are pendentives?
Combining domed spaces to give illusion of suspension
What caused the fall of Rome?
Famine, disease, crumbling infrastructure in 15th c. CE. Lasted 2200 years
What is the distinction of a deus and divus?
Deus - god from birth
Divus - been made god/divine
What does genius mean?
seed-like spirit of an individual’s divine potential
Which emperor blamed the widespread fires of 64 CE on a Christian presence in Rome?
Nero
